Media Reports: US Allows Ukraine To Use Long-Range Missiles To Strike Russian Territory. Russia Responds To Reports

Britain is expected to follow suit in allowing Ukraine to use its long-range Storm Shadow missiles within Russian territory, which have a range of about 155 miles.

EUROPE - According to reports from major news outlets, the Biden Administration is now allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles provided to them by the United States to strike within Russian territory, a "red line" that Russian President Vladimir Putin said would mean NATO-allied countries are at war with Russia.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the mainstream reports and said that "strikes are not carried out with words" and that the missiles will speak for themselves.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Zelensky said, “I am deeply grateful to all our partners who support us with air defense systems and missiles. This is a truly global effort. Every time Russia carries out such attacks, it underscores how critical it is that partners don’t leave systems like Patriot and others sitting idle in warehouses, but instead provide them to those who know how to protect lives and urgently need them.

We still haven’t received all the necessary systems from our allies—but we continue to work toward that goal. Once these systems are in place, our ability to repel attacks will be much stronger.

One more thing: The plan for strengthening Ukraine is the Victory Plan that I presented to our partners. One of its key elements is providing our army with long-range capabilities.

There’s been much said in the media today that we have received approval to take relative actions. But strikes are not carried out with words. These things are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves.”

Russia's previous red lines, which included F-16 fighter jets being provided to Ukraine have shifted. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the aircraft a "nuclear threat" before being given over to Ukraine because they are capable of being modified to carry nuclear weapons.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov -Kremlin

In July of last year, Lavrov said that by continuing to provide more sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, “the US and its NATO satellites create the risk of a direct armed confrontation with Russia, and this may lead to catastrophic consequences". 

By continuing to provide more sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, “the US and its NATO satellites create the risk of a direct armed confrontation with Russia, and this may lead to catastrophic consequences," Lavrov said at the time.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has commented on recent media reports that the Biden Administration has made the decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-provided long-range missiles to attack targets within Russian territory by saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin had already addressed the matter, apparently referencing past comments by Putin that Russia would make “appropriate decisions in response”.

Russia Gives More Detailed Response Regarding Media Reports US Is Allowing Ukraine To Strike Within Russian Territory